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2020 Genesis G90 Gets Extreme New Styling, More Safety Features

With its lineup still lacking an SUV, Genesis dials up the appeal of its flagship sedan.

By
Scott Oldham

Nov 21, 2019

James Lipman/Genesis

As the world waits for Genesis to enter the luxury-SUV octagon, Hyundai's luxury brand has instead invested time and resources updating its flagship sedan. The 2020 Genesis G90, which competes in the full-size luxury sedan segment, a class so cold rigor mortis is setting in, gets a daring new look, a refreshed interior, and an expanded list of standard driver aids and safety systems.

This is the first substantial updating to the G90 since it was introduced to the U.S. market in 2017. More important, its bold new styling, which completely reshape its front end and tail, reveal the brand's styling direction and according to William Lee, executive vice president and global head of the Genesis brand, it kicks off a coming product offensive. In other words, Genesis can be expected to add a few much-needed SUVs to its lineup soon, and when it does, finally, they're going to look something like this.

That’s not a bad thing. The reskinned 2020 G90 is striking in person and far more visually intense. Its new chrome grille is wider, more angular, and features an open cross-mesh, which feels a bit Bentley, the previous employer of Luc Donckerwolke, Hyundai's chief design officer. There's also some Alfa Romeo in its horizontal lower ducting, and we see some Volvo in its new headlamps. (This past September, after stints at Alfa, Audi, Lamborghini and Italdesign, Filippo Perini joined the brand as chief designer at the Genesis Advanced Design Studio in Europe.) The 2020 G90's hood is also new, as are its front fenders, which get large fake vents with chrome detail and lighting strips that visually extend from the shapes of its headlights.

In the rear, the G90's new decklid features an integrated kick-up spoiler, and its taillamps have gone from vertical to slim horizontal units, one of which expands the width of the car. Its license plate has also been moved down into the reshaped bumper between two sizable exhaust tips shaped much like the sedan's grille. Although it remains 75.4 inches wide and 204.9 inches long, the G90 now appears to have a bit more width and length. It looks more muscular. Its new wheels are also far more dynamic: with a similar hex design as the grille and flush center caps, they have six-figure-sedan quality.

Inside, the changes are less severe. The G90's 12.3-inch infotainment screen is now a touchscreen, and its graphics are highlighted with copper accents. This is the first Genesis to offer over-the-air updates for its navigation maps and software, and it's quieter thanks to active noise cancellation technology. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability are standard, and interior trim and materials have been tweaked.

Genesis has also expanded the sedan's standard list of driver aids, which now includes lane-following assist, rear cross-traffic and forward-collision alert systems; Safe Exit Assist, which can alert you if an object is approaching an open door; and Highway Driving Assist.

As before, two trim levels will be available, and the G90's suspension and powertrains remain unchanged. The 3.3T Premium is still powered by the brand's turbocharged 3.3-liter V-6 with 365 horsepower, and the 5.0 Ultimate has a naturally aspirated 420-hp 5.0-liter V-8. Rear-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional on all models. Both engines are still paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Although sales of the 2020 Genesis G90 will begin in December, pricing still hasn't been released. Base prices in 2019 were $70,345 for the 3.3T Premium and $74,845 for the 5.0 Ultimate. All-wheel drive cost an extra $2500.

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